WoW Annual Pass expands to include more countries
by Anne Stickney 
Nov 2nd 2011 at 10:31PM
If you've been wanting to sign up for the Annual Pass announced at BlizzCon only to find it not available in your region, you may want to check the page again. Blizzard just announced that it has expanded the pass to include more countries, including Russia, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and more. The World of Warcraft Annual Pass is a one-year commitment to the game. You do not have to pay for your year in one lump sum. You can keep making payments in the same increments you've always done before -- you're simply committing to a year's worth of payments with the pass.
In return, you get Diablo 3 for free, the Tyrael's Charger flying mount for your Warcraft character, and access to the next WoW expansion beta test. So if you've been itching to play Diablo 3, dying to test new expansion content, or simply craving a new winged pony to ride around on in game, this may be the solution for you. You can sign up for the Annual Pass on Blizzard's website; if you've got any questions about the process, check the official FAQ there, as well.
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Review the official patch notes, and then dig into what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back!
In return, you get Diablo 3 for free, the Tyrael's Charger flying mount for your Warcraft character, and access to the next WoW expansion beta test. So if you've been itching to play Diablo 3, dying to test new expansion content, or simply craving a new winged pony to ride around on in game, this may be the solution for you. You can sign up for the Annual Pass on Blizzard's website; if you've got any questions about the process, check the official FAQ there, as well.
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Review the official patch notes, and then dig into what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back!
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Literaltruth Nov 2nd 2011 10:39PM
I've been really annoyed that I couldn't take part in this deal, since my country was not included. There is pretty much 0 chance that I wouldn't be playing WoW for the next year - and I kind of felt annoyed that I would be paying the same as thsoe who did sign up with none of the benefits.
But yay! My country has been included now, which is fantastic. Signed up already...can't wait for DIII and my mount :).
clever Nov 2nd 2011 10:57PM
i cant even see the price of the anual pass
it wont show the price until i add a credit card to my account, and i dont have one
Literaltruth Nov 2nd 2011 11:02PM
@Clever
The way the annual pass works is that you can pay in the same way as you would normally pay - so you can pay monthly, 3-monthly, 6-monthly, with a credit card, with paypal or even with time from gamecards. You can change your payment method as you like. Effectively nothing changes in your subscription pattern.
The only difference is that you are commited to paying monthly for a year - you can't suspend or cancel your subscription during that time. They need a credit card so that if you are paying with gamecards and your gamecrad time runs out, they can still charge you.
Saeadame Nov 2nd 2011 11:21PM
@literal - I'm guessing clever pays via buying game time cards, since if they don't have a credit card they wouldn't have any kind of regular subscription, monthly or otherwise. The annual pass does exclude players who pay using game time cards and don't have a credit card for whatever reason.
Mardora Nov 2nd 2011 11:24PM
You cannot use Paypal for the Annual Pass, but you can use game time cards.
Annual Pass FAQ:
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=40545
undeadgoat Nov 3rd 2011 12:46AM
You have to have some sort of credit card something attached to your account, which if you run out of time they will charge for one month's time (I believe). I've heard some non-credit-card holders (apparently outside of America, you can be over 18 and on the internet and your bank doesn't give you a credit card?) are planning on doing something like attaching a Visa gift card with a small balance to their account. I assume that if they tried to charge the card and were unable to then your Diablo and your mount would go poof.
Skarn Nov 3rd 2011 1:01AM
Just in case it wasn't clear yet, there is no "price to see." The "price" of the Annual Pass is a standard WoW subscription. Whatever you pay now is what you will pay for the next year. You could even pay less if you aren't currently using the 6-month option.
trefpoid Nov 3rd 2011 3:07AM
We, the people from Latin America (Chile in my case) salute Blizzard and thank everyone who participated in the 4 threads we openened -and capped- to get this done. It seems Blizzard does listen :) I'm really happy! can't wait for the beta access!!!
Matheus314 Nov 3rd 2011 8:42AM
Finally!!! Blizzard heard my prayers!
1 year of WoW + Diablo 3 + MoP Beta player = Epic Win!
jealouspirate Nov 2nd 2011 10:45PM
Before you jump on the ''omg a deal'' train and buy this, remember that we really have no proof that MoP will be launching any time soon. With 4.3 about to drop, you could be committing to a year long subscription during a 10-12 month period without any new content. It`s no coincidence that this deal is appearing just as we enter that period where many unsub while waiting for the next expansion.
Literaltruth Nov 2nd 2011 10:50PM
I think it's fairly obvious that if you're the kind of person who unsubs when they are bored and resubs when something new comes out, then this deal isn't great for you. If you're not that kind of person, though, then there is pretty much no downside to it.
I don't think Blizzard is doing anything nefarious by offering it. And for them, the big advantage is that they get a handle on how much guarenteed income they are going to get for then next year. For those of us who are fairly confident we would be subscribing anyway - we get free stuff.
Anne Stickney Nov 2nd 2011 10:53PM
I'm pretty sure if I get bored (which is unlikely), I will be playing Diablo III. Which, coincidentally, I don't have to pay a dime for now.
Hih Nov 3rd 2011 12:03AM
Assuming D3 is a $60 game, as long as you would have played for at least 8 out of the 12 months you got the annual pass, then you're breaking even.
Darky Nov 3rd 2011 7:40AM
And for people in Australia the whole free D3 is worth so much more considering games cost more; despite our dollar is essentially the same as the american dollar. This is including digital games by the way (which just makes no sense). Going off SC2 which costs $90 AUD whereas its $60 USD in america on the battle.net store.
bluespacecow Nov 3rd 2011 10:47AM
Did you see the Blizzcon Coverage ?
It was one of the most content filled Blizzcon so far. What they showed of MoP was pretty complete. Not much left to finish on it IMHO.
They even hinted of releasing it sooner rather then later. Within the year definitely. Next 6 months if I would hedge a bet.
Silverhawkx Nov 3rd 2011 1:46AM
Im in the US but i think they changed the age limit now because its allowing me now
boil.san Nov 2nd 2011 10:58PM
One can only hope that Blizzard likes the revenue stream this promotion brings in and decides to make it a regular thing…
Guaranteed cash flow for Blizzard, cool perks for the players…!
WaterRouge Nov 2nd 2011 11:15PM
Just some information to consider: You're paying a month's worth, twelve times indefinitely. Once you sign up for this contract you are legally bound to pay blizzard nearly nearly $200 (for Americans). I'm not arguing that you shouldn't do it, if you're financially sound then by all means. Just don't invest in this if you have any doubt you won't be able to pay one month.
Personally, I would rush to sign up for the annual pass. I would love free D3 and another sparkle pony. The problem is as a college student will I really be able to maintain $16.16 twelve times when I am currently unemployed? Will I be able to enjoy all twelve of the months that I'm paying for? Sure I'll have Diablo 3 but that doesn't have a release date yet.
Again, make your own decision. I just hate for thousands of people to jump on the annual pass just because of the deals therein, which is exactly what Blizzard wants.
Skarn Nov 3rd 2011 1:04AM
Absolutely agree. A lot can happen in a year, if you're not certain of your financial situation, don't sign up for this.
Noyou Nov 3rd 2011 1:38AM
It's worth noting that there is zero downside to this. If you sign up and don't pay for a month, all you lose is the ability to play diablo 3 and use your pony- which were FREE to begin with. So if it gets to the point where you want to take a break- u can take it, no financial ramifications. Just no more free stuff.